SA justifies Rwanda envoy expulsion

Pretoria - Proper procedures were followed in the expulsion of Rwandan diplomats from Pretoria, International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said on Tuesday.

“We are guided by internal and also by international laws that govern such relations. We follow the same rules in the relation between South Africa and Rwanda,” she said in Pretoria.

“Whatever action South Africa took in the past few days, we were unemotional. We had informed the Rwandese government in accordance with the norms that apply and 1/8are 3/8 informed by our Constitution.”

Earlier this month, South Africa expelled three Rwandan diplomats, one of whom has reportedly been linked to an “attempted hit” on exiled Rwandan army chief Faustin Nyamwasa at his home in Johannesburg.

A few days later, Rwanda responded by expelling six diplomats based at the South African mission in its capital Kigali.

While Rwandan Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo said at the time that the expulsions were “in reciprocity”, there is speculation that the decision to exactly double the number expelled is a signal Rwanda is prepared to up the ante.

On Tuesday, Nkoana-Mashababe said South Africa continued to seek friendship with all countries on the African continent and beyond.

“We did what normally gets done if such acts are alleged to have been taken. Whatever action we are going to take, we will not be emotional,” she said.